No. 8 Wichita State Knocks Off Kansas, 7-3

Senior right fielder Ryne Price hit his seventh home run of the season, while sophomore Paul Smyth struck out five in three innings of work, but it was not enough. Conor Gillaspe’s RBI ground out in the top of the fifth broke a three-all tie and lifted No. 8 Wichita State to a 7-3 triumph over Kansas Tuesday evening at Hoglund Ballpark.<?xml:namespace prefix=”o” ns=”urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office”?>

The Shockers improve to 21-3 on the season, while KU falls to 18-13.

After sophomore starting pitcher Shaeffer Hall struck out the side in the first, the Jayhawks jumped out to a 3-0 lead on the strength of Price’s team-leading seventh home run.

Senior Casey Larson reached on an error to lead off the bottom of the first and came around to score on a two-out single by Buck Afenir. The junior catcher’s line drive up the middle preceded Price’s blast to center field, which gave the home team a three-run cushion after one.

However, the Shockers came back to tie in the third inning as Tyler Hill and Kenny Williams, Jr. hit back-to-back doubles to lead off the frame. After a walk and a bunt single, Gillaspie drove in his first of three runs with a ground out to first. Dusty Coleman then tied the score with an RBI ground out to third.

Gillaspie drove in the go-ahead run in the fifth with another RBI ground out, while designated hitter Clinton McKeever gave the Shockers a 5-3 lead in the sixth with an RBI double to center. WSU tacked on single runs in the seventh and ninth for the margin of victory.

Shaeffer Hall threw the first four innings for KU, and allowed three runs on four hits, while collecting four strike outs, while Brett Bollman, Paul Smyth and Sam Freeman pitched in relief. Smyth struck out five in three innings of work.

The Jayhawks (18-13) will face the University of St. Mary Wednesday in a make up from a game that was cancelled earlier this season against North Dakota State. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. Admission to the game is free of charge.